QUESTIONS and ANSWERS about THREAD

Here are some typical questions we are often asked about our business. Somebody may have already solved a sewing thread
problem you have encountered. Either browse through the following or use CTRL+F to search for a specific topic. If you have
any further questions don't hesitate to call us on 0800 50 40 60, or
(09) 527 4017 or click here to send us
an email.

Q1. What is the cost of thread used to manufacture a woman's jacket?

Calculate the price per metre of the thread and multiply by the number of metres used in the
jacket. [Eg. One 5,000 metre cone of Sapphire 120 currently costs
$NZD10.50, which equals $0.0021 per metre]. The average amount of thread used in a woman's jacket ranges from 108 metres to
as much as about 200 metres, so therefore the minimum amount of thread required would be 108 x 0.021 = 0.2268... less
than 23 cents!

Q2. How do we know how much thread is used in our garments?

We have charts and tables showing thread usage of most common garments, footwear etc. Contact us for advice about your
thread requirements.

Q3. Why do buttons come off my garments?

There are a variety of reasons. Could be: wrong type of stitch, chafing from button shank, incorrect length of tail, or
unsuitable quality of thread. We recommend using Alterfil-S which has a special heat-activated coating to help keep buttons secure and ensures excellent seam strength.

Q6. How can I guarantee you will have the correct colour in stock when my CMT needs it?

We endeavour to predict colour demand from fashion trends and seasons wherever we can, based on our years of experience,
- however - it is difficult to have ALL of the colours in ALL the weights and sizes, in stock ALL of the time. Our most
experienced customers prevent last minute [and costly] panic by ordering the thread weeks in advance, usually when the
fabric has been chosen.

Q7. My current brand of polyester thread will not work properly on my multidirectional machine, especially
when operated at high speed. How do I fix this?

Q8. Do you have a thread that will retain it's colour and strength for a long time exposed to New Zealand's
demanding UV outdoor conditions?

Yes! Use Gore 'Tenara' ePTFE thread. Tenara is guaranteed for 15 years against damage caused by sunlight, water or
weather. It's available in 12 common colours and used typically in demanding situations like shade sails, marine
applications, outdoor umbrellas and lawn bowls mats. Click here to visit our page
about Gore Tenara thread.

Q9. My 20 head embroidery machine keeps breaking the thread and causing costly production run delays, what do
I do to fix the situation?

Try a better quality of embroidery thread such as Polysoft. Rayon based embroidery thread does not have high tensile
strength, and also often has colour-fastness/dying problems. Polysoft is a continuous filament, 100% polyester embroidery
thread and so is more resistant to drycleaning, washing and bleaching than non-polyester embroidery threads.
Click here to visit our page about Polysoft embroidery
threads.

Q10. I need a good value [but high performance] monofilament for overlocking mats, do you have anything
suitable?

A cone is a larger makeup for usually 5,000m of thread, whereas cops are smaller, uniform tubes usually only holding
around 1000m of thread. Sapphire is available on 2,500m (half sized) cones instead of cops. See illustration below: